Lead Structural Mechanical Design Engineer 

Job Purpose

Lead Structural / Mechanical Engineer responsible for overseeing, managing and executing when relevant the activities of the Mechanical and Structural engineering team, ensuring the successful execution of projects related to container handling equipment and other products / services provided by WCS. The Lead Engineer will act as center of excellence related to Mechanical & Structural engineering activities across complete product portfolio. This role required proficiency in structural engineering, utilization of Finite Element Analysis software for strength & fatigue calculations of steel structures. The purpose of the role is to lead the team of engineers while executing as assigned tasks also being Subject Matter Expert.

This role involves developing and implementing strategies to enhance the department’s capabilities, providing technical leadership, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Key Accountabilities

Structural Design:

• Lead & mentor the team in development of finite element models for port cranes and port related infrastructure considering various loading scenarios related to strength and fatigue.
• Execute structural analyses of container handling equipment using FEA techniques, prepare input loads assumptions, report on the findings.
• Design or validate & approve the relevant designed parts for manufactured products and WCS services like upgrades and refurbishments 
• Assess the remaining useful lifetime of the structures with support of fatigue analysis executed via FEA in cooperation with other team members and WCS structural inspectors.
• Provide solutions to extend the useful life of cranes, such as structural modifications, maintenance schedules and improvements.  
• Deliver structural analysis reports, including stress distributions, deflections, fatigue life assessments. 
• Evaluate the impact of various loading conditions and environmental factors on structural integrity. 
• Ensure compliance with industry standards including fatigue design acc. to EN 13001 and other relevant codes (e.g., FEM 1.001).
• Optimize structural designs of manufactured products to enhance performance, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Optimized structural designs that meet performance requirements while minimizing weight and cost.
• Support site inspectors conducting structure surveys and NDT checks defining criticality of defects, guide the inspectors
• Analyse the discovered defects during inspections and prepare recommendations for crack and defect repair procedures including specification of the welding procedures in cooperation with other engineers.  
• Perform design review of the equipment manufacturer documentation regarding its compliance with crane specification. Design review reporting for structural aspect of the port equipment design. 
• Sea fastening structural design for the crane relocation  
• Sea voyage fatigue impact assessment of transported equipment  
• Overlook and / or prepare cost estimates and project scoping, assumptions for the WCS relevant for the discipline projects during offering stage.

Mechanical Design:

• Basic design of mechanical crane components and systems dedicated existing equipment upgrades
• Design of various manufactured products like cages, reefers, steel structures utilized in ports
• Supervise, overlook detail design of various mechanical systems and components done by the team 
• Approve the manufacturing drawings and oversee the production when required
• Mechanical engineering design review of the port equipment products provided by equipment manufacturers. Ensure compliance of the designs with relevant norms and standards. 
• Execute and guide, mentor engineers with regards to mechanical and machinery design, calculations for motors, gearboxes, bearings, sheaves, ropes 
• Verify the mechanical requirements for various crane systems, conduct independent checks and calculations to ensure sizing of the mechanical parts meet Customer or WCS internal requirements 
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and advancements in port crane technology 

Leadership:

• Oversee and lead the activities of the mechanical & structural engineering department, ensuring efficient and effective execution of projects according to agreed KPIs.
• Hire, train, and mentor engineers to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment within the department.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to the team.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, codes, and regulations.
• Stay up to date with industry trends and advancements in engineering.
• Identify and implement opportunities for process improvement and cost reduction within the department
• Final approval of the design documentation and accountability for the released design 
• Verify & approve the cost estimates for the projects in cooperation with Engineers and Project Managers
• Ensure that the highest level of safety is applied in all WCS activities.
• Collaborate with design engineers, project managers, and other stakeholders to drive project execution.
• Provide technical guidance and support to various segments of WCS business including manufacturing products and testing, research development teams.
• As required work on R&D projects, improvements and developments
• Implement and monitor WCS’ HSE compliance policy.
• Act as an ambassador for DP World at all times when working; promoting and demonstrating positive behaviours in harmony with DP World’s Principles, values and culture; ensuring the highest level of safety is applied in all activities; understanding and following DP World’s Code of Conduct and Ethics policies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor Degree in Mechanical or Structural Engineering

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in similar works of designing and calculations
• Approval and sign off on the design documentation – accountability for the design works
• Experience in the design and analysis of container handling equipment is preferred.
• Experience of working in project teams on the supplier / OEM side
• Extensive experience in finite element analysis and structural design.
• Experience in supporting site inspection teams for structural surveys and NDT checks.
• Experience in performing remaining lifetime estimations, fatigue analysis according to various standards and developing solutions to extend the useful life of structures.
• Experience in design of various mechanical components 
• Experience in 3D design, preparation of Bill of Materials and parts lists 
• Proficiency in executing FE calculations using software like Ansys, FEMAP + Nastran, SDC Verifier
• Root cause analysis of the steel structure defects, damages
• Knowledge of industry standards, codes, and regulations, including fatigue design standards like EN 13001 and other relevant codes to port cranes (e.g., FEM 1.001).
• Proficiency in CAD software, modelling techniques (e.g., AutoCAD, Inventor, SolidWorks) 
• Perform remaining lifetime estimations and develop solutions to extend the useful life of structures.
• Design and calculations, sizing of machinery and components like motors, gearboxes, brakes, couplings, bearings, sheaves, wire ropes, etc.
• Ability to design parts of mechanisms and components of the port equipment.
• Ability to analyse Mechanical and Structural defects and prepare repair procedures and solutions.
• Demonstrated effective and strong leadership / interpersonal skills to guide, mentor, train engineers
• Good communication skills to work in cross functional teams during project development & delivery
• Accommodate dynamic work environment and multiple projects executed simultaneously 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure based on available data at hand.
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement.

Skills

• Strong understanding of structural mechanics, fatigue, materials science, and design principles.